How Often Should You Tune Your Guitar Strings

Some guitars tend to stay in tune longer, while other guitars get out of tune quick. So the question arises, how often should one tune a guitar? Let us find out.

How Often Should You Tune Your guitar?

You should consider tuning your guitar anytime it sounds out of tune. Even if a single string is sounding out of tune, you should tune your guitar to perfect pitch. Most professional guitar players prefer to tune the guitar every time they play. A properly tuned guitar always sounds good and in tune.

To learn how to tune your guitar step-by-step, check out this guitar tuning lesson.

5 Reasons Your Guitar Will Not Stay In Tune Longer

There are several factors due to which your guitar gets out of tune.

1. Faulty Or Low-Quality Tuning Pegs: — Tuning pegs are the biggest reason most guitars get out of tune quick. If you have a cheap guitar, definitely upgrade your tuners. Upgrading tuning pegs will make your guitar tuning stable and help you keep them in tune longer.
2. Bad Guitar Setup: — Guitar intonation, action, strings used and improper string winding, bridge, and nut setup not only makes sure your guitar sounds good but also contributes to tuning stability. Make sure your guitar is properly set up and intonated.
3. Weather Change: — If you are travelling or there is a sudden temperature change, your guitar will get out of tune. Changes in humidity, temperature, all contribute to the guitar getting out of tune.
4. Use of Capo: — If you used a capo, chances are your guitar will get out of tune. Capo pulls the strings down towards the fingerboard when you attach it to your neck. In addition, it alters the tension of the strings when you put it on or take it off.
5. You Bend Your Strings Like Crazy: — If you bend your strings a lot, like 10 times more than other players, it is one of the reasons your strings get out of tune.

How To Keep Your Guitar In Tune Longer

Let's find out how you can keep your electric or acoustic guitar in tune longer and more stable: -

1. Get a Good Build Guitar: — If a guitar is built with proper craftsmanship and matured wood, it will tend to stay in tune longer when compared to guitars that are not well-built. Make sure you, purchase a well-built guitar.
2. Upgrade Your Guitar Tuners: — If Your guitar is equipped with good guitar tuners, it will stay in tune longer. Any decent guitar can stay in tune a lot longer if you upgrade your tuners. You can opt for a locking tuner that helps keep your guitar tuning stable and in tune even longer.
   I use Grover Locking Tuners and also suggest you get these for your guitars. You will be surprised how stable your guitar tuning becomes once you upgrade to Grover locking tuners.

3. Use Good Quality Strings: — If you are using old, rusted strings or low-quality strings, it will be difficult to stay in tune. Tuning stability depends a lot on the strings you use. Using good quality strings will not only keep your guitar in tune longer but will also help it sound better. Also use a proper strong winding technique. I use Elixir strings and also recommend them, They sound great, last longer and are a lot stable. Also, make sure you install the strings properly.
   

4. Use Good Quality Bridge and Saddle: — Bridge also plays an important role in keeping your guitar tuned. Most guitars are equipped with good bridges, but in case your guitar lacks one, do upgrade it. If your guitar strings keep on breaking, it might because of a sharp saddle. Make sure you get your saddle and bridge properly set up.
5. Use A Sliding Capo: — If you are regular a capo used, it is advised to use a sliding capo that is not required to be taken off all the time. This will help your guitar stay in tune while sliding your capo.

6. Get A Professional Guitar Setup: — Every guitar player should definitely get a professional guitar setup done. There is no going back once you know the difference. A professional guitar setup is so underrated. Getting your guitar set up by a professional luthier will make all the changes that you never expected. Proper intonation, bridge height, strings action not only contribute to a more stable guitar. These factors also make your guitar play well and easy on your hands.

Should You De Tune Your Guitar Before Keeping It?

There is a myth that your guitar neck will become bent if you do not detune it every time you are done playing. This is wrong for guitars that are built today. An old guitar, that did not have a truss rod built-in, were required to be detuned all the time. Modern-day guitars do not require it, as they are well-built.

If you are playing regularly, that is daily or at least twice a week, you need not detune your guitar all the time. If you are not going to play for more than 2-3 weeks, make sure you detune your guitar and keep it safe.

If you are new to guitar and wish to learn guitar — I have a complete beginner guitar course for free. Make sure you check it out here.

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